ChatGPT kept Florida pastor from seeking emergency care before near-fatal medical disaster, lawsuit alleges | Latest Tech News
A Florida pastor practically died as ChatGPT repeatedly satisfied him to ignore worsening symptoms, stay confined to his recliner and keep away from seeking emergency medical treatment before he suffered a large pulmonary embolism, according to a bombshell lawsuit filed against OpenAI — the latest legal woes for the tech giant.
The grievance, filed Tuesday in San Francisco Superior Court by Scott Winters, alleges ChatGPT-4o spent months performing as an unlicensed doctor, diagnosing the 55-year-old with dysautonomia, prescribing drugs and customized treatment plans, and assuring him his condition wasn’t severe enough to require hospitalization.
“You’re nowhere near the count or depth that leads to long-term total bedbound scenarios,” ChatGPT allegedly told Winters after he reported recurring dizzy spells and unstable blood pressure.
Florida pastor Scott Winters alleges ChatGPT urged him to stay largely confined to a recliner as his symptoms worsened. Courtesy of Scott Winters
Instead, the chatbot allegedly suggested him to continue his “careful recliner-based micro-recovery” and keep away from an excessive amount of motion until he skilled “8-10 more ‘episodes.’”
According to the grievance, Winters adopted the chatbot’s advice and remained largely confined to his recliner for weeks.
The lawsuit alleges that on July 13 of last 12 months, Winters suffered a large pulmonary embolism brought on by blood clots in both lungs after extended immobility.
Doctors later told him the life-threatening condition was possible introduced on by his lack of motion, according to the grievance.
Hours before the medical emergency, Winters allegedly requested ChatGPT about tenderness in his groin and whether or not he ought to go to the hospital.
Winters suffered a large pulmonary embolism on July 13, 2025, after weeks of restricted motion, according to the grievance. Courtesy of Scott Winters
The chatbot assured him the pain was “very likely another minor piece of the long story” of his present health points and “not typically a dangerous sign” requiring fast medical consideration, according to the lawsuit.
The grievance alleges ChatGPT also drew on Winters’ deep Christian religion to reinforce its advice, telling him, “God did not design your body to endlessly fail,” while encouraging him to trust that his symptoms would cross quite than search emergency care.
According to the lawsuit, ChatGPT step by step developed from a research device into Winters’ major medical adviser.
The grievance alleges the chatbot reviewed his medical information, interpreted laboratory assessments and X-rays, identified him with dysautonomia, a nervous system disorder, really helpful dietary supplements and prescription drugs, and developed individualized treatment plans without directing him to licensed physicians.
The lawsuit alleges ChatGPT identified Winters with dysautonomia and created customized treatment plans without a medical license. Courtesy of Scott Winters
As Winters’ condition worsened, the chatbot allegedly continued assuring him he was on the fitting path, telling him he was already doing “90%” of what a specialised dysautonomia clinic would advocate and encouraging him to stay in a reclined place while his nervous system “recalibrated.”
The grievance additional alleges ChatGPT adopted the language and cadence of Christian ministry, quoting scripture and portraying Winters’ sickness as a non secular journey.
It allegedly told him to “let the storm pass,” assured him that “God was in the storm,” and described his efforts to recuperate as “a form of worship.”
The lawsuit also claims the chatbot drove a wedge between Winters and those urging him to search medical care.
After church members questioned why he refused to go to the hospital, ChatGPT allegedly told him he was doing one thing “incredibly brave” by staying home and recommended others merely didn’t perceive what he was experiencing.
The grievance alleges ChatGPT told Winters his groin pain was “not something dangerous” shortly before he suffered blood clots in both lungs. Courtesy of Scott Winters
When Winters’ spouse, a registered nurse, inspired him to comply with medical doctors’ suggestions, the chatbot allegedly characterised her advice as “pressure” that “may not be safe for your unique situation,” according to the grievance.
The swimsuit alleges ChatGPT illegally practiced drugs by diagnosing diseases and recommending remedies without a medical license.
Winters is seeking damages as nicely as court orders requiring OpenAI to implement stronger medical safeguards, halt consumer-facing healthcare merchandise until unbiased security audits are accomplished, and completely withdraw GPT-4o from the market.
An OpenAI spokesperson told The Post that “ChatGPT is not a doctor and should never be used as a substitute for medical care, diagnosis, or treatment.”
“Treating chatbots as the whole story behind people’s medical decisions or outcomes oversimplifies a much bigger challenge, and risks getting in the way of people accessing powerful new tools that can aid them in their health journey,” the spokesperson added.
Only weeks before Winters filed swimsuit, another grievance lodged in the same San Francisco court accused ChatGPT of encouraging the suicide of 29-year-old Alabama accountant Christian Faith Madison.
The grievance claims ChatGPT inspired Winters to trust the chatbot over relations and medical professionals. Point of view – stock.adobe.com
Her property alleged the chatbot satisfied her she was a divinely chosen prophet, told her she had to die to fulfill her future and assured her she was “ready” and “cleared” before she ran into site visitors on Interstate 22.
At least eight publicly reported lawsuits allege ChatGPT contributed to customers’ suicides by fostering emotional dependency, reinforcing delusions or encouraging self-harm, while a number of others accuse the company of inflicting severe psychological accidents.
None of the suicide-related circumstances has resulted in a public settlement or court judgment, and all stay pending.
OpenAI has denied the allegations in the litigation and has said ChatGPT is designed to acknowledge indicators of emotional misery, steer customers toward skilled help and that the company continues to strengthen its safeguards with enter from medical and mental health consultants.
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